Six months outdoors?

Terraces are an irresistible attraction for guests from the spring till autumn. Though our “terrace culture” is developing, it is still behind the European average. Money spent on terraces is usually only a small part of the total amount spent on bars or restaurants. In spite of generating substantial revenues, many entrepreneurs are reluctant to invest in furniture for their terrace. This is understandable where owners cannot be certain that they will be able to operate in the long run, but is not economical if terraces exist for longer periods. When there are several terraces side by side, guests usually decide where to sit down on the basis of how places look. There are many consideration in choosing furniture apart from design and price, like durability and ease of storage. It is not a tragedy if terrace furniture is not in complete harmony with the interior design as long as it represents a similar standard. It is hard to tell what the favourite trends will be this spring, but some good ideas were displayed at the Cologne furniture exhibition held in January 2008. Some types of furniture like rattan are becoming increasingly universal, while the advantages of modular furniture have been also demonstrated at the exhibition. There are also ways of reducing our dependence on the weather, like roofs, transparent tents and heaters for outdoor use. There are many different heating systems in terms of design, installation and the energy used (gas or electricity), and one of these can certainly help us to extend the season substantially.